Disturbing new statistics reveal one third of Harrow's children, some as young as 11, know someone who regularly carries a knife.

Disturbing new statistics reveal one third of Harrow's children, some as young as 11, know someone who regularly carries a knife.

The research, commissioned by Harrow Council, also found that one in 10 young people in the borough had been personally affected by the growing knife crime epidemic.

The alarming results emerged from a questionnaire given out to youngsters at the Under One Sky music festival last month.

Out of 107 young people, aged between 11 and 21, more than two thirds knew someone who had been affected by knife crime.

The findings came at a time when Police Minister and MP for Harrow East, Tony McNulty (Labour), slammed new sentencing guidelines that say first time offenders should be merely fined for carrying a blade.

Speaking to the Observer he said: "These are worrying figures for Harrow. If you carry a knife you intend to use it. We can do something about the supply of guns but knives are everywhere.

"Young people need to be aware that if you carry a knife you will end up dead or in prison. Possession of a knife is a very serious offence and needs to be treated accordingly by the Sentencing Guidelines Council."

Councillor Chris Mote (Conservative), responsible for community and cultural services, was shocked by the research.

He said: "Most disturbing from the numbers that are apparently prepared to carry knives, is the suggestion they still mistakenly believe it offers either protection or some kind of status."

A joint report carried out by Government watchdogs this week revealed children believe they need a knife or gun to keep them safe.

A 16-year-old girl from Rayners Lane, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "It is really scary. It affects us everyday. I have heard about people being stabbed and I am hearing it more and more. It is getting worse.

"It is all about what area you are from. You can't cross boundaries. Kids need to be taken off the streets."

Nineteen teenagers have been violently killed in London so far this year. Most were victims of knife crime. Between April 2007 and April 2008 16 people were treated in Northwick Park Hospital's A & E department for stab wounds. Twenty-six people have been arrested in Harrow since April this year for knife-related crimes.

Supt Matthew Gardner, deputy borough commander, said the knife was the new gun.

He said: "Carrying a knife is about prestige. It is a culture which has developed and one which has to change. Parents need to be aware of what their children are carrying. We have increased police presence outside schools and will continue to carry out